Chen Ruifeng new head of the Administration of Religious Affairs

He replaces Cui Maohu, recently dismissed and investigated for alleged corruption. He also becomes one of the deputy directors of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department. He was born in Shandong and has government experience in Wuhan and Qinghai province.

Beijing () – Chen Ruifeng is the new head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA). His appointment occurred on March 24, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) United Front Work Department website reported.

He replaces Cui Maohu, who was sacked in recent days and is under investigation for alleged serious disciplinary and legal violations: this expression is often used by the authorities to indicate a case of corruption.

Chen, 56, was born in Shandong province and joined the Party in 1989. In 2016 he was elected deputy secretary of the CCP in Wuhan (Hubei), and a year later he became deputy mayor. In July 2020, he was promoted to the Standing Committee of the Qinghai Provincial Party Office.

Also, the new SARA leader became one of the deputy directors of the United Front Work Department. Previously, the Religious Affairs Administration was known as the “Religious Affairs Office”, an independent body under the authority of the State Council (the central government). In March 2018, it came under the direct control of the CCP, essentially serving as the executive arm of the United Front to control religious activities.